Several weeks ago, I wrote this post about an economics professor who predicted that Canada would lead all nations in the medal count at the Vancouver Olympics. He also predicted that the U.S. would win only five gold medals and 26 medals overall.
Boy, was he ever wrong.
Canada started out slow the first week, finished with 26 medals overall, but did lead all countries with 14 gold medals. But the U.S. led in the overall record medal count with 37, including nine gold medals. It is by far the best collective performance by a group of American athletes during the Winter Olympic Games. While the big-name athletes like Lindsey Vonn, Shaun White and Shani Davis and Apolo Ono, came through as expected, other gold medal performances were either breakthroughs or surprises.
Breakthroughs
Nordic combined. Before the Olympics, the U.S. had never won a medal in the Nordic Combined event (2 phases: ski jumping and cross country skiing). They leave Vancouver with four medals, the most of any country.
Four-man bobsled. The last time the U.S. won gold in this event was 1948 in St. Moritz, Switzerland. 62 years later, Steve Holcomb piloted the U.S. team to gold.
Short-track speedskating. Katherine Reutter won a silver and bronze medal in short track speedskating, becoming the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic medal in that event. She is sure to be a contender in Sochi in 2014. Ditto for J.R. Celski, who picked up a bronze, after overcoming a horrific injury last fall that put his Olympic future in doubt.
Surprises
Alpine skiing. Beyond Vonn, the U.S. ski team wasn't considered to be much of a threat. But they won eight medals total, including two silver by Julia Mancuso who peaked at just the right time and Bode Miller, who made a huge comeback with three medals, one gold, silver and bronze.
Men's figure skating. Evan Lysacek went into the Games as a contender for a medal, but walked away with gold after two brilliant programs. He not only defeated the reigning Olympic champion, Evgeni Plushenko, who came out of retirement after last competing in Torino in 2006, Lysacek also defeated a very deep men's field.
U.S. men's hockey. The men's hockey team was the youngest in the field and weren't expected to medal in Vancouver. But don't tell them that. They won all three games in the preliminary round, including a 5-3 victory over the heavily favored Canadians. The two teams would meet again in the gold medal game, but with a different result. The Canadians prevailed in overtime 3-2, in one of the most exciting games in Olympic Games memory, and the Americans go home with silver.
Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks for the memories.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Ozzie Guillen on Twitter, White Sox in Realty TV Series
Guess who’s on Twitter now? Sports Illustrated reports that Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has a Twitter account, an ideal platform for his colorful commentary. Guillen promises that his comments will only be personal, not breaking news about the club’s moves. Still, General Manager Kenny Williams isn’t pleased with the idea and will likely be following Guillen’s tweets closely.
Twitter is the perfect forum for Guillen who has no problem reaching out to fans. He’s been known to read e-mails from fans and occasionally responds to them. If the Sox are smart, they will allow Ozzie to keep his Twitter account, so he can express himself on his terms without interference from the team.
The Sox are also going to be the subject of a reality TV show called “The Club,” which will air on the MLB Network beginning July 4. The show will follow Guillen, Williams, owner Jerry Reinsdorf and other members of the staff as they face the challenges of running a professional sports team.
This is a surprising move in some respects as Williams and Reinsdorf tend to keep things close to the vest where team decisions are concerned. Still, as a lifelong Sox fan, I’m looking forward to watching the show to see what the team is like behind closed doors.
Twitter is the perfect forum for Guillen who has no problem reaching out to fans. He’s been known to read e-mails from fans and occasionally responds to them. If the Sox are smart, they will allow Ozzie to keep his Twitter account, so he can express himself on his terms without interference from the team.
The Sox are also going to be the subject of a reality TV show called “The Club,” which will air on the MLB Network beginning July 4. The show will follow Guillen, Williams, owner Jerry Reinsdorf and other members of the staff as they face the challenges of running a professional sports team.
This is a surprising move in some respects as Williams and Reinsdorf tend to keep things close to the vest where team decisions are concerned. Still, as a lifelong Sox fan, I’m looking forward to watching the show to see what the team is like behind closed doors.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Could Skating Judge’s Comments Backfire on U.S.?
The Winter Olympics in Vancouver haven’t even officially begun, and a figure skating controversy is already brewing.
According to Canadian newspaper Globe and Mail, veteran American skating judge Joe Inman has been accused of bias against European skaters after he sent a series of e-mails to some 60 international judges and officials, some of whom would be involved with the Vancouver Games, reminding them to mark presentation scores accurately.
Inman sent the e-mails after he heard Russia’s Evengi Plushenko, the reigning Olympic champion, say in an interview after the European championships, “If the judges want someone to place high, they can arrange it.” Plushenko also admitted in the interview that he and Frenchman Brian Joubert do not have transitions in their programs because they focus on their jumps. Both Joubert and Plushenko have been criticized for their lack of transitions in their program, though judges continue to score them well in their component scores.
Inman’s e-mails were picked up by a French sports publication which published a story about them with a headline that read “The Hostilities Begin.” The article suggested that Inman was leading a lobby of North American judges against European skaters, a charge that baffled Inman, who says the e-mails were meant to be instructional in nature and were not meant to stir up controversy. Inman is one of the creators of the current scoring system and teaches other judges about how to assess skaters’ performances and score them accurately.
The timing of this controversy cannot be good. While the European skating community accuses North American bias against their skaters, one wonders if there will be a backlash against North American skaters. Would European judges underscore leading skaters like Canada’s Patrick Chan and American Evan Lysacek while bumping up scores for skaters like Joubert and Plushenko? Or will Plushenko’s comments do himself in by prompting international judges to pay closer scrutiny to his, and everyone else's, program components?
The men’s competition starts next Tuesday.
According to Canadian newspaper Globe and Mail, veteran American skating judge Joe Inman has been accused of bias against European skaters after he sent a series of e-mails to some 60 international judges and officials, some of whom would be involved with the Vancouver Games, reminding them to mark presentation scores accurately.
Inman sent the e-mails after he heard Russia’s Evengi Plushenko, the reigning Olympic champion, say in an interview after the European championships, “If the judges want someone to place high, they can arrange it.” Plushenko also admitted in the interview that he and Frenchman Brian Joubert do not have transitions in their programs because they focus on their jumps. Both Joubert and Plushenko have been criticized for their lack of transitions in their program, though judges continue to score them well in their component scores.
Inman’s e-mails were picked up by a French sports publication which published a story about them with a headline that read “The Hostilities Begin.” The article suggested that Inman was leading a lobby of North American judges against European skaters, a charge that baffled Inman, who says the e-mails were meant to be instructional in nature and were not meant to stir up controversy. Inman is one of the creators of the current scoring system and teaches other judges about how to assess skaters’ performances and score them accurately.
The timing of this controversy cannot be good. While the European skating community accuses North American bias against their skaters, one wonders if there will be a backlash against North American skaters. Would European judges underscore leading skaters like Canada’s Patrick Chan and American Evan Lysacek while bumping up scores for skaters like Joubert and Plushenko? Or will Plushenko’s comments do himself in by prompting international judges to pay closer scrutiny to his, and everyone else's, program components?
The men’s competition starts next Tuesday.
Monday, February 08, 2010
Surprise! New Orleans Saints Win the Super Bowl
Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints who upset the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 yesterday in the Super Bowl, witnessed by more than 106 million people, making it the most watched TV event in history. I think the only people who weren’t surprised by the Saints’ victory were New Orleans fans.
There are several lessons we can learn after watching the Saints victory against the Colts
Never underestimate the underdog. Outside the city of New Orleans, few people gave the Saints much of a chance to win the Super Bowl. The Colts had more playoff experience, more talent and a higher profile quarterback in Peyton Manning. The Saints were five-point underdogs, but won the game 31-17 after allowing the Colts to score the first 10 points of the game. Then the Saints offense took over, controlling the ball and the game clock from the second quarter on. Proof once again that championships are not won on paper; they’re won on the field.
Be willing to take chances. Sean Payton’s call for an onside kick to start the second half was a gutsy one. It could easily have backfired had the Colts recovered it cleanly in Saints territory. But the ball bounced off a Colts’ player and was recovered by the Saints, who went on to score a touchdown to take the lead. The play caught the Colts off guard, and they never quite recovered the rest of the game.
Expect the unexpected. How many times have we seen Peyton Manning get picked off with the game on the line? Manning is one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the league. You simply do not expect him to make many mistakes in a big game like the Super Bowl. But after cornerback Tracy Porter intercepted Peyton’s pass and ran 74 yards for a clinching touchdown with less than four minutes left to play, that sealed the Colts’ fate.
Savor your victories and share them with loved ones. During the on-field celebration, a teary-eyed Drew Brees took in the moment with his infant son in his arms. It was perhaps the most touching scene of the day.
There are several lessons we can learn after watching the Saints victory against the Colts
Never underestimate the underdog. Outside the city of New Orleans, few people gave the Saints much of a chance to win the Super Bowl. The Colts had more playoff experience, more talent and a higher profile quarterback in Peyton Manning. The Saints were five-point underdogs, but won the game 31-17 after allowing the Colts to score the first 10 points of the game. Then the Saints offense took over, controlling the ball and the game clock from the second quarter on. Proof once again that championships are not won on paper; they’re won on the field.
Be willing to take chances. Sean Payton’s call for an onside kick to start the second half was a gutsy one. It could easily have backfired had the Colts recovered it cleanly in Saints territory. But the ball bounced off a Colts’ player and was recovered by the Saints, who went on to score a touchdown to take the lead. The play caught the Colts off guard, and they never quite recovered the rest of the game.
Expect the unexpected. How many times have we seen Peyton Manning get picked off with the game on the line? Manning is one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the league. You simply do not expect him to make many mistakes in a big game like the Super Bowl. But after cornerback Tracy Porter intercepted Peyton’s pass and ran 74 yards for a clinching touchdown with less than four minutes left to play, that sealed the Colts’ fate.
Savor your victories and share them with loved ones. During the on-field celebration, a teary-eyed Drew Brees took in the moment with his infant son in his arms. It was perhaps the most touching scene of the day.
Friday, February 05, 2010
Super Bowl Preview: Saints vs. Colts
Trying to decide who will win this year’s Super Bowl contest is like trying to decide what to have for dessert: an ice cream bar or a piece of fruit. My head says a bowl of strawberries is the healthier choice, but what I really want is that Dove bar.
Ditto for the two Super Bowl contenders. The Colts are the logical choice because of their overall talent and experience in post-season play, but the Saints are the overwhelming sentimental favorite. Everyone wants to see them win because of everything they’ve been through with Hurricane Katrina. It would be a huge boost to their city, and for once, New Orleans can stop being thought of as losers.
It promises to be an exciting, high-scoring game, but I do think the Colts will prevail. Final score: 35-31.
Ditto for the two Super Bowl contenders. The Colts are the logical choice because of their overall talent and experience in post-season play, but the Saints are the overwhelming sentimental favorite. Everyone wants to see them win because of everything they’ve been through with Hurricane Katrina. It would be a huge boost to their city, and for once, New Orleans can stop being thought of as losers.
It promises to be an exciting, high-scoring game, but I do think the Colts will prevail. Final score: 35-31.
Vonn's SI Cover Causes a Stir
It looks like Sports Illustrated is publishing its 2010 Olympic preview with two different covers: one with skiing phenom Lindsey Vonn and a second with hockey star Sidney Crosby.
Vonn’s cover has become a hot topic of conversation. Sports psychologist Nicole LaVoi is taking a lot of heat after writing in her blog that Vonn’s tuck position is a sexualized pose. (Personally, I’ve seen a lot worse on SI’s swimsuit editions.) While I don’t think this is a sexualized pose, I do think it’s an unattractive one for a magazine cover, even if it is a downhill skiing position. And I speak as a magazine editor here. I’m sure the SI editors could have photographed Vonn in a way that better showcases her athleticism. But then, SI's job is to sell magazines. If the cover photo doesn't do that, at least the debate about it will.
On that note, I’m counting down the days to the start of the Vancouver Winter Games which begin next week. For two whole weeks, I plan to hibernate in the comfort of my living room watching the Games. The aforementioned SI and the Chicago Tribune has provided guides to watching the Olympic Games to help you become familiar with the top contenders in each event.
Enjoy, and may the best athletes win.
Vonn’s cover has become a hot topic of conversation. Sports psychologist Nicole LaVoi is taking a lot of heat after writing in her blog that Vonn’s tuck position is a sexualized pose. (Personally, I’ve seen a lot worse on SI’s swimsuit editions.) While I don’t think this is a sexualized pose, I do think it’s an unattractive one for a magazine cover, even if it is a downhill skiing position. And I speak as a magazine editor here. I’m sure the SI editors could have photographed Vonn in a way that better showcases her athleticism. But then, SI's job is to sell magazines. If the cover photo doesn't do that, at least the debate about it will.On that note, I’m counting down the days to the start of the Vancouver Winter Games which begin next week. For two whole weeks, I plan to hibernate in the comfort of my living room watching the Games. The aforementioned SI and the Chicago Tribune has provided guides to watching the Olympic Games to help you become familiar with the top contenders in each event.
Enjoy, and may the best athletes win.
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